James "Jim" Allen Verden 93, passed away on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at his home in Exeter, Missouri.
Jim, son of Catherine (Byer) and Al Verden was born on June 19, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois.

Jim graduated from Lane Technical High School in 1948.  He was interested in the technology of his era.  He was an inventor and fixed radios and TVs of the time period.

Jim began his love for racing in 1946 with midget cars at Soldier Field and built his first hot rod in 1947.  His first official timed drag strip race was in Santa Ana California in 1951.  In 1952, he set the track record in a Caddy-engined rail at Andy Granatelli's Half Day Speedway in Illinois. Later he built a top-notch sprint car and raced until the end of 1958.

Later in life, Jim worked as both an electrician and in heating and air, eventually owning his own companies. In 1972, Jim invented and received a US Patent for a Blower Speed Regulator for Forced Air Heating Systems.  He really loved to tinker around - he could fix anything.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ken Verden, his wife Lottie (Kaim), and his son, Scott Verden.  He is survived by his daughter, Susan Verden, Evergreen, Colorado, and sister, Carol Verloove, St. Augustine, Florida.

Arrangements are under the direction of White Funeral Home and Crematory in Cassville, Missouri.